One of the standout experiences I had in New Zealand was tasting barrel samples at Amisfield in Central Otago. Because of luggage restrictions, though, I was unable bring back any of their most excellent Pinot Noirs with us from NZ. Two nights ago, Jean ventured into our only decent local wine store in search of NZ Sauvignons and stumbled upon the title wine for sale for a most reasonable $28.50. To assess our opportunity better, tonight we opened it with a dinner of venison-black bean chili:
2007 Amisfield Pinot Noir nose: sappy pine resin, bright red berry fruit palate: black cherries, medium body, refreshing acidity, velvety tanninsJust as light and lithe as the '08 Jean and I had in NZ and the barrel samples of the '11 that I tasted with Ian and Jacquie Hoare. Truly an outstanding NZ Pinot Noir and a bargain at the price.
Mark Lipton